Rural Transformation Specialist

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• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply;
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Organizational Setting

The Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa (RNE) is responsible for leading FAO's response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of FAO's priority activities in the region. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the Region and, in collaboration with Divisions, Centres and Offices at Headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO's strategic response to regional priorities.

The Rural Transformation and Inclusive Value Chains (RP1) is one of four main regional priorities within the Regional Office. The programme focuses on enhancing productivity and income of small-scale farmers, focusing on youth employment and women empowerment, and the development of inclusive value chains. It adopts an integrated approach focusing on boosting agricultural productivity, the promotion of decent rural employment and an inclusive economic growth that benefits farming communities in the region.

To support this work, the Regional Office is looking for qualified specialists in rural development, with expertise on one or more of the following thematic areas\: rural institutions and services, employment and entrepreneurship and small-scale agriculture, with youth inclusion, gender equality and innovation as cross-cutting elements.

Reporting Lines

The Rural Transformation Specialist will work under the general supervision of the Senior Programme Officer/Lead of RP1 on Rural Transformation in collaboration with relevant technical colleagues in the Regional Office and HQ Technical Divisions including the Rural Transformation and Gender Equality (ESP) division.

Technical Focus

The position entails support to the implementation of the RP1 programme of work in the NENA region as well as relevant field projects related to the thematic areas of rural institutions and services, employment and entrepreneurship and small-scale agriculture, with youth inclusion, gender equality and innovation as cross-cutting elements.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Contribute to programme development and design of relevant activities at regional and country levels including the development of relevant project documents, workplans and concept notes
• Conduct, review or contribute to research, data analysis and writing of regional technical publications and knowledge products such as fact sheets, reports and policy briefs
• Organize or support the implementation and follow-up of meetings, consultations and conferences including the drafting of relevant documents (concept notes, workshop reports, background documents, etc.)
• Liaise with responsible officers and country teams and provide technical support to related activities and programmes at the regional and country level
• Document initiatives, case studies and technical content, highlighting impact, lessons learned and good practices
• Contribute to outreach and knowledge management related to rural transformation

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in social sciences, agriculture sciences, rural development, economics or related fields
• At least 1 year of relevant experience (for PSA category C), 2 years (for Consultant category C), 5 years (for category B), 10 years (for category A) in areas related to rural institutions and services, employment and entrepreneurship and small-scale agriculture, with youth inclusion, gender equality and innovation as cross-cutting elements
• Working knowledge (level C) of English

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work
• Work experience in rural transformation, including rural institutions and services, employment and entrepreneurship and small-scale agriculture, with youth inclusion, gender equality and innovation as cross-cutting elements
• Previous experience working with the UN is a plus
• Experience establishing and coordinating regional networks
• Excellent research, analytical and technical writing skills
• Working knowledge of Arabic or French is considered an asset

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

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